Baseball game apparatus



Feb. 16 1926.

A. MATHA BASEBALL GAME APPARATUS Filed Jan. 26, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 frufe 'it; W 271ml;

IIII/IIIIllIII/IIIIIIIlIIIIlIlI/llI/IIIII/IlI/IIIIIIt!IIlII/IllIII/IIIIIfl/IIIIIIIIA A. MATH A BASEBALL GAIE APPARATUS Filed Jan. 26, 1924' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 16, 1926.

UNlTED STATES Aliilhl'l QFHCE.

BASEBALL GAME AZ'PARATUS.

Application filed January 26, 1924;.

To all 107mm it may concern:

Be it known that I, Amsnn'r Mari-iii, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, in the county oi Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Baseball Game Apparatus, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of my specification.

My invention relates to a game apparatus adapted for indoor use in playing the game of base ball and consists in providing a suitable playing field or board provided with manikins in representation of and positioned to indicate the difierent players and holders as employed in the game of base ball; the fielders being'preterably stationarily secured in place in any suitable manner on the playing board; while the pitcher and the batter manikins are movably mounted in their respective positions, so that the pitcher may project or throw a suitable ball and the batter actuated to strike at the ball: the pitcher manikin and batter manilnn being actuated by separate mechanisms intended to be manually operated by different individuals playing' the game.

My invention and its advantages will be readily comprehended from the detailed description of the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved game apparatus, with a portion shown in section,

Figure 2-is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 22 of Figure 1 with intermediate portions broken away, illustrating the pitcher operating mechanism.

Figure 3 is a detail perspective view of the stop or holding element of the pitcher operating mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan View of a portion of the playing board illustrating the pitcher and batter operating mechanisms.

,Figure 5 is a detail view partially in section of the batter manikin mounting and a portion of the operating mechanism therefor.

Figure 6 is a detail view, partially in Fit tion, of the outer end of the batter manikin operating mechanism.

Figure '4' is a detail view in perspective of the method of mounting the batter manikin.

My invention relates to a game apparatus for the indoor playing of the of base Serial No. 688,636.

prising the base lines and bases; with the fielder manikins, shown at 14-, suitaliily positioned on the playing board and secured thereto in any deslred manner so as to remain in upright position. [he playing field or board 10, at points adjacent to first base and third base and adjacent to the side walls 13, is provided with vertically disposed strips 15 preferably equal to the distance between the side walls 13 and the bases, for the purpose of indicating foul territory, namely the foul lines of the playing field, so that when the batted ball strikes either one of the strips 15. the batted ball will constitute a foul ball.

The pitcher manikin 16, which may be of metal, wood or any other suitable material having suliicient rigidity, is pivotally mounted, at a point adjacent to the foot of the manikin disposed toward the playing field as at 17, to an upstanding lug of a plate 18 which is secured on the playing field or board against movement. The playing field or board 10, adjacent to the plate, is provided with a slot 19 through which a projection 20 of the pitcher manikin 16 extends: the projection 20 being preferably arranged at a rearward inclination as shown in Figure 2. The projection 20 has one end of a suitable coil spring 21 secured thereto. with the other end of the spring secured to a holding element 22 which may be either in the nature of suitably looped wire or a metallic plate having a longitudinalslot, with a setscrew or bolt 23 disposedthrough the play inn; board 10 and either between the parallelly disposed portions of the bent wire, or through the slot of the plate as the case may be, and held in place by a 'asher and nut as at 24:. With this construction it is apparcut that the spring tension may be regulated by sliding the holding element 22 either toward the extension 20 of the pitcher manikin ing board, where the wire is looped or provided with a finger grasp as shown in Figure 1, at which point the end wall 13 and portion of the bottom 12 of the enclosing element is cut away as shown at 26 in order to permit access to the operating rod 25. The operating rod is preferably provided I with a bend or shoulder as at 27 in Figure 2 in order that the pitcher manikin may be held in its tilted or pitching position by means of the holding element 28 which is shown in. the nature of a.wire bent in the form of a link with the inner end thereof bent downwardly as shown at 29 in Figures 2 and 3 so as to engage with the shoulder or bend 27 of the operating rod 25 when the latter has been pulled outwardly toward the end of the apparatus and moved downwardly as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 2. This will hold the pitcher manikin in pitching-position until it is desired to pitch the ball. The holding element 28 is secured to the 'under side of the playing board 10 in. any suitable manner as for ex ampleby a bolt, washer and nut; the bolt passing between the looped end of the element 28, as shown, at 30 in Figure 2.

It is apparent from the construction shown that when rod 25 is pulled outwardly or toward the end of the playing board, the pitcher manikin will tilt toward the out-field about pivotalpoint 17 and into positionfor throwing the-ball when the operating rod 25 is released; the pitcher manikin being re turned. tonormal position through thetension of spring21.

The playing board 10, at a point in align ment with theforward foot of the pitcher manikin, is provided with an adjustable stop in the'nature of a set-screw 31 with which the free or forward foot of the pitcher manikin contactswhen rod 25 is released and the spring 21 comes into play. By screwing the set-screw 31 upwardly, it is apparent that the pitcher manihin will be brought to rest inadvance of the moment induced by the set-screw -31, .when the latter isscrewed down inthe position shown in Figure 2.

W'ith the set-screw 31 screwed upwardly as stated, the pitcher manikin will be brought to rest before it reaches a position perpendicular to the playing field as shown in Figures 1 and. 2, namely with the pitcher manilrin slightly tilted rearwardly. Such positinging. of the pitcher manikin will cause the bell to e p ojected or thrown with a drop namely at a slightly higher elevation than would be the case where the manikin is brought to rest so as to be positioned as shown in Figure 2.

The playing board 10, adjacent to the home-plate position, is provided with an opening 32 and with a plate 35 which is shown in the nature of a strip of metal, one end whereof is apertured to receive a suitable bolt 36 whereby the plate is held flush with the top of the playing board; while the other end is bent downwardly th ough the opening 32 in the playing board and rearwardly so as to provide a portion 3'7 disposed substantially parallel with the upper portion 38 of the strip; the two portions 37 and 38 providing a suitable pivotal mounting for the batter manikin 39, the bottom whereof is provided withv an extension 40 adaptedto pass through the enlarged aperture 41 of the upper portion 38 and be disposedintermediate of the parallelly' disposed portions 37 and 38 thereof. The lower end of the extension 40 is shown re duced as at 40 and is disposed through a smaller aperture 42 in the parallel portion 37 of the strip or plate With this construction, the batter manikin is pivotally held in proper position on the playing board and the reduced, portion 40, which may be angular in cross section, is adapted to receivea link or arm 43, see Figures 4 and 5, whose outer end is provided with a rod 44 which extends toward one side of the playing board and adjacent to a suitable opening 45 formed in the depending side por tion of one of the side walls 13 of the en- 7 closing element, as shown in Figure .1. where the rod 44 is shown bent into loop form at 46 to provide a suitable finger grasp. The bottom of the playing board 10, adjacent to the opening in the side wall 13, is provided with a stop member 47 shown in the nature of a wire, bent into loop form as shown in Figure 6, ith one portion extending flush with the bottom of the playing board 10 and secured thereto by screw-bolt and nut as at-48 in Figure 6; while the forward end of the looped wire is bent downwardly at right angles to receive the pull-rod or wire 44; the finger-grasp portion 46 whereof engages the bent portion of stop member 47 and preventsthe too .taimovement of the rod or wire 44 in one direction. The arm 43 has one end of a suit able spring 49 secured thereto, (see Figure 4); while the other end of the spring 49 is secured tothe bottom of the playingboard 10 so as to cause the arm 43 and therefore the batter manikin to return to normal position. r

lVith theconstruction shown, it is ap parent that when rod .or wire 44 is pulled outwardly through opening 45 in Figure 1, the batter inanikin 39 will be oscillated .tion preventing any chance for arr about the extension or axis it) so as to swing its bat rearwardlyand upon releasing the rod Ate, spring 49 will cause the arm 43 and the batter manikin to oscillate back to normal position, namely so as to swing the bat forward.

The playing board 10, at a point rearward of the batter manikin and home plate is shown provided with a back-stop of cardboard or other suitable material and consisting of a vertically disposed portion 50 suitably secured to the playing-board at a slight distance removed from the enclosure wall 13 and of proper height and terminat ing in the forwardly disposed overhanging portion or canopy 51. The portion 50, at a point in alignment with the home-plate is provided with an opening 52. This provides a combined back-stop and umpire so far as strikes are concerned. It the ball has been properly thrown across home-plate and goes through opening, 52, it will constitute a strike; on the other hand it the ball strikes the hack-stop and the batter manikin has not been operated, it would constitute a ball; the construcgument between the parties playing the game.

The apparatus and player manikins may be made of any suitable light material, either card-board or sheet metal, and a small ball of proper weight may be employed;'tlie ball being inserted in a pocket 53 formed in the upra-ised arm of the pitcher manikin 16. The ball having been inserted in the pocket 53, pull-rod or wire 25 is pulled outwardly through. opening 26, causing the pitcher manikin 16' to be tilted baclrwar-dly. Upon releasing the pull-roc 25, spring 91 will cause the manilzin 16 to swing forwardly and the sudden engagement of the tor-ward foot with the stop screw 31, will cause the ball to be thrown toward the batter: the speed and down curve of the ball being determined by adjustment ot spring 21 and stop-screw I have described my invention in terms employed merely as terms of description and not as terms of limitation, as structural modifications are possible and may be made Without, however, departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is 1. A game apparatus of the character described, comiin'ising a playing board prorided with the outline of a base-ball diamond, with openings through said board adjacent to the pitchers box and homeplate, abracket secured on the board adj a- 1 cent the opening at the pitchers box, a-

pitcher manilrin t'ul lllillfll at one foot on said bra 'lret to tilt rearwardly, the pitcher mauikin being provided with a ball-holding pocket, the base of thepitchcr maniltin being provided with an extension disposed the playing-board, whereby the pitcher 1 manikin may be actuated, a iatter manikin provided on the bottom with. an extension disposed through the opening adpicent to home-plate and rotatably mounted beneath the )la ing-board, a linlt secured to said extension beneath the board, tensionapplying means secured to said link for returning the battef maniltin to normal position, and means, operable from an edge oi the playii'ig-board whereby the l manikin may be rotated against the ction of the tension-applying means 2. In a game apparatus of: the character described, a playing-board provided with the outline ot a l e ball diamond and an opening, a pitcher manilrin provided with a. ball-holding pocket while the base is prorided with :1 depending extension disposed through the opening in the ilaying-board, means whereby the pitcher manikin is tiltably mounted to swing rcarwardly, ad justable tension means connected w th said extension whereby the pitcher maniltin is returned to normal position, means secured to said extension beneath the playing-brand whereby the pitcher inauiltin may be operated from one side oi the plaving-board. and adjustable means inter-mediate ot the playing board and the lilttlllh'lll whereby the pitching" uuuncnt ot the pill-her" maul kin may be regulated.

3. In a game of the chararter described, a playing-board provided with an opening, a pitcher maniltin with a ball-holding pocltct and a depending extension. adjac'mt to one end ot the base of the maniltin. d sposed through said opening, the manilain being pivoted on the board so as to tilt rearwardly, a spring secured at one end to said extension, adjustable means, secured to the lower side of the playingdioard and to the other end of the spring, whereby. the tcnsion of the spring may be controlled. an operating rod secured to said extension and c tfifilllllil to one side of the board. means whereby said rod mar be held in pitcher setting position. and adjustable means \YliQiYlJY the pitching moment and normal position of the pitcher manilrin may' be controlled.

1-. In a game apparatus of the character described, a playing-board provided with base ball player mai'iikins. the pitcher maniltin being mounted to tilt rcarwardly into pitching pi'isition, while the battcf )atter Ill) 1 fill nianikin is rotatably mounted, a marginal enclosure disposed about the playing-boarr and extending beneath the same, two of the depending sides of the marginal enclosure at points beneath the bottom of the playingboard being provided with openings, an op erating rod adapted to tilt the pitcher manilrin, with the outer end of said rod disposed at one of said openings in the marginal enclosure, means whereby said rod may be held in pitcher tilting position, and an operating rod adapted to rotate the bat ter manikin, the outer end of said second rod being disposed at the other opening in the marginal enclosure.

5. In a game apparatus ot the character described, a playing-board provided with the outline of a baseball. diamond and player maniltins disposed their respective positions, marginal enclosure for said playing board arranged to extend beneath the plane of said board, means whereby the pitcher manilrin is pivet ly aounted to tilt reaiwvardly, an operating rod disposed beneath the playing board and operatively connected at the inner end to the pitcher manilrin-whcreby the latter may be tilted into pitching position, adjustable tensionapplying means for returning the pltcher manilrin to normal position, an opening in the marginal enclosure for the outer end of said operating rod,means whereby the batter manikin is rotatably mounted, an operating rod for actuating said batter manikin, an opening in the marginal -en closure for the outer end of said rod, means for returning the batter manikin to normal position, and an umpire element arranged on the playing-board rearward ot the batter manilrin in slight spaced relation with the enclosure, whereby the character of the pitched ball may be determined.

. 6. In a game apparatus of the character described, a playing-board provided with the outline of a base-ball diamond and with player manikins arranged in their respective playing positions, a marginal enclosure for the playing-board extending beneath the bottom, the pitcher manikin being tilt ably mounted, means for tilting thepitcher and to quickly return the same to normal position, the batter manikin being rotat ably mounted, means whereby the batter manikin may be rotatec and automatically returned to normal position, a back-stop element secured to the playing-board rearward of the batter manikin and in spaced elation with the marginal enclosure and provided with an opening at a. predetermined point whereby to determine the character of the ball pitched, and vertically disposed ele ments arranged on the playing-board intermediate of first and third base and the adiacent portions of the marginal enclosure.

7.. In a game apparatus of the character described, a playing-board provided with a depending marginal portions and having the outline of a base-ball diamond thereon, a marginal enclosure for said board depending beneath the bottom thereof, player manikins secured on the playing-board, V the pitcher manikin being provided with an extension disposed in an opening in the playing-board, with one arm of the manikin provided with a ball-receiving pocket, means whereby the pitcher manikin is secured on said board so as to tilt rearwardly, adjustable tension means secured to said extension whereby the pitcher manilrin is returned to normal position, an operating rod secured to said extension and extending toward one side of the-playing-board and the marginal enclosure, means whereby the batter manikin is rotatably mounted on the board, said means extending through an opening in the playing-board to the under side thereof, an operating rod whereby said manikin may be rotated, the outer end of said rod being disposed adjacent one side of the playing-board and marginal enclosure, a vertically disposed element secured on the playing-board rearward of the batter manikin in spaced relation with the marginal enclosure whereby the character of the pitched ball may be determined, and means intermediate of the marginal enclosure and first and third base' whereby the character of a batted ball may be determined.

8. In a game apparatus of the character described, a batter manikin, the base whereof is provided with a depending extension, an angular plate secured to the playing-board and apertured toreceive said extension and to rotatably hold the batter manikin in place, a spring-controlled link secured to said extension, an operating rod secured to said link, and means whereby the free end of said rod is held in position and the normal position of the batter manikin determined.

9. In a game apparatus of the character described, a playing-board provided with the outline of a base-ball diamond and with an opening thcrethrough, a pitcher manilrin pivotally mounted adjacent to said opening to tilt rearwardly and havinga ball-' receiving pocket, the bottom of the manilrin being provided with an extension disposed through said opening, tension-applying means arranged on the bottom of the playing-board and secured to said extension of the pitcher manikin whereby the pitcher is returned to normal position, means operable from the end of the playing-board ttor actuating the pitcher manilrimand adjustable means whereby the pitching moment of the pitcher trolled.

ALBERT MATHA,

manilrin may be con- 

